Since 2003, the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering has grown considerably. The program outgrew the existing 165,000 sf building and found itself needing more space.
Enter the Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering. Designed by LMN Architects, the 140,000-sf facility expands the current capacity of the school and provides research spaces, classrooms and lecture spaces, faculty offices, and a new home for the School’s undergraduate majors. A central, naturally-lit atrium provides visual and physical connections to all the floors and acts as the school’s central hub. At the roof-level, an event center will support a wide range of educational needs, industry collaborations, and outreach functions. A cafe activates the primary entry and acts as a transition between the exterior landscape to the central atrium.
The building’s exterior features a two-sided curving form that responds to the site’s topography and the flow of campus circulation. The building’s facade system of terra cotta panels in four texture types acts as a juxtaposition against the modern black glass and metal.
See Also: University of Arizona Student Success District begins construction
The completed project is targeting LEED New Construction Silver.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Feb 23, 2015
Future-proofing educational institutions: 5 trends to consider
In response to rapidly changing conditions in K-12 and higher education, institutions and school districts should consider these five trends to ensure a productive, educated future.
University Buildings | Feb 20, 2015
Penn strengthens campus security by reviving its surrounding neighborhood
In 1996, the University of Pennsylvania’s sprawling campus in Philadelphia was in the grip of an unprecedented crime wave. But instead of walling themselves off from their surrounding neighborhoods, the school decided to support the community.
University Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Preparing for the worst: Campus security since Virginia Tech
Seven years after the mass shootings at Virginia Tech, colleges and universities continue to shake up their emergency communications and response capabilities to shootings and other criminal threats.
University Buildings | Feb 17, 2015
BD+C exclusive: How security is influencing campus design and construction
Campus crime—whether real or perceived—presents Building Teams with more opportunities for early-stage consultation with university clients.
Architects | Feb 11, 2015
Shortlist for 2015 Mies van der Rohe Award announced
Copenhagen, Berlin, and Rotterdam are the cities where most of the shortlisted works have been built.
| Jan 7, 2015
University of Chicago releases proposed sites for Obama library bid
There are two proposed sites for the plan, both owned by the Chicago Park District in Chicago’s South Side, near the university’s campus in Hyde Park, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
| Jan 2, 2015
Construction put in place enjoyed healthy gains in 2014
Construction consultant FMI foresees—with some caveats—continuing growth in the office, lodging, and manufacturing sectors. But funding uncertainties raise red flags in education and healthcare.
BIM and Information Technology | Dec 28, 2014
The Big Data revolution: How data-driven design is transforming project planning
There are literally hundreds of applications for deep analytics in planning and design projects, not to mention the many benefits for construction teams, building owners, and facility managers. We profile some early successful applications.
| Dec 28, 2014
AIA course: Enhancing interior comfort while improving overall building efficacy
Providing more comfortable conditions to building occupants has become a top priority in today’s interior designs. This course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
